Guardians of the Data | Securing Data in the Age of AI - Frank Depaola - Guardians of the Data

Securing Data in the Age of AI - Frank Depaola - Guardians of the Data - Episode #26

January 22, 2026 / 41:24/E26

Is your data security strategy still focused on where your data lives, or have you evolved to protect it where it flows?

Ward sits down with Frank DePaola, Vice President and CISO at EnPro and recipient of the 2025 Top Global CISO award. With over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, Frank shares a masterclass on navigating the complexities of modern data security, from the "data sprawl" of the AI era to the unique challenges of maintaining security during aggressive M&A cycles.

The conversation dives deep into the realization that "data is the new currency of business," which has led organizations to accumulate petabytes of information that become increasingly difficult to manage. Frank explains why the state of your data directly impacts the success of AI initiatives and why security leaders must transition from a static mindset to one that secures data in motion, especially as it leaves the organization's physical purview through cloud services and subcontractors.

Takeaways:

Build Or Update Your Data Retention Policy: Work collaboratively with business units to understand their actual needs and regulatory requirements, not arbitrary timeframes.
Leverage Community Expertise: Reach out to industry peers or hire consultants who've implemented programs before; don't reinvent the wheel.
Shift From Static to Dynamic Protection: Move beyond securing data only where it resides; focus on securing data in motion and throughout its lifecycle.
Consolidate Your Tools: Look for comprehensive platforms that integrate DLP, DSPM, and AI governance rather than managing multiple point solutions.
Gather Complete Requirements Upfront: Avoid point solution sprawl by thoroughly vetting all use cases before making technology investments.
Build a Risk-Based Roadmap: Connect tactical initiatives directly to organizational strategic objectives, so teams understand how their work impacts the business.

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